Michael A. Ashcroft

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, is an international businessman, author and philanthropist. He is Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party and Treasurer of the International Democratic Union. He is also the founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Crimestoppers, the only UK charity dedicated to solving crimes, Vice Patron of the Intelligence Corps Museum, Chairman of the Trustees of Ashcroft Technology Academy and Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University.
Lord Ashcroft has a life-long interest in bravery and gallantry medals. In 1986, he started collecting Victoria Cross medals (VCs). There are now more than 160 medals in the collection, estimated to be worth some £30 million, making it the largest collection of VCs in the world. In the autumn of 2010, the collection is due to go on public display for the first time at the Imperial War Museum in London. The new Lord Ashcroft Gallery, paid for by a £5 million donation, will also exhibit VCs and George Cross medals already belonging to the IWM.